Guitar Mode Guru
7 Modes of the Major Scale
The 5 Shapes
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The 7 Modes of the Major Scale
The Major scale is made up of seven notes. When each of these seven notes becomes the root note, the other notes follow in different intervals that create the seven modes.Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian, Locrian.See the following examples for how each mode is formed.
Ionian Mode
The First mode is Ionian, the Major Scale. Many know it as Do Re Mi Fa So La Ti Do. It is often associated with a bright and happy sound.The formula is Root Whole Whole Half Whole Whole Whole Half or
RWWHWWWH
E Ionian - E Major
Dorian Mode
The Second mode is Dorian. A minor scale with a natural 6th. It has a jazzy and bluesy quality.The formula is RWHWWWHW
F# Dorian - the Second mode of E Major
Phrygian Mode
The Third mode is Phrygian, characterized by a flat 2nd and minor 3rd. It evokes Spanish or Flamenco sounds.The formula is RHWWWHWW
G# Phrygian - the Third mode of E Major
Lydian Mode
The Fourth mode is Lydian, a major scale with a sharp 4th. It has a dreamy and ethereal sound.The fomula is RWWWHWWH
A Lydian - the Fourth mode of E Major
Mixolydian Mode
The Fifth mode is Mixolydian, a major scale with a flat 7th. It has a bluesy and rock-oriented feel.The formula is RWWHWWHW
B Mixolydian - the Fifth mode of E Major
Aeolian Mode
The Sixth mode is Aeolian, the natural minor scale, often associated with a darker, more introspective mood. Works well in hard rock and metal.The formula is RWHWWHWW
C# Aeolian - the Sixth mode of E Major
Locrian Mode
The Seventh mode is Locrian, featuring a minor scale with a flat 2nd and flat 5th. It has a dissonant and unstable character.The formula is RHWWHWWW
D# Locrian - the Seventh mode of E Major
| Mode | Intervals | Formula | Compatible Chords |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ionian | RWWHWWWH | 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 | Major Triad, Maj 7, Maj 6, Maj6/9, Maj 9 |
| Dorian | RWHWWWHW | 1,2,b3,4,5,6,7 | minor triad, min6, min7, min9, min11 |
| Phrygian | RHWWWHWW | 1,b2,b3,4,5,6,7 | min7, sus4, sus7 |
| Lydian | RWWWHWWH | 1,2,3,#4,5,6,7 | Maj7#4, Maj7b5, Maj7#11 |
| Mixolydian | RWWHWWHW | 1,2,3,4,5,6,b7 | dom7, dom9, dom11, dom13, sus4, sus7, sus9, sus13 |
| Aeolian | RWHWWHWW | 1,2,b3,4,5,b6,7 | minor triad, min 7, min7#5, min9, min11 |
| Locrian | RHWWHWWW | 1,b2,3,4,b5,6,7 | min7b5 |
The 5 Shapes
These 5 patterns can be used anywhere on the guitar neck to play the 7 modes in all 12 keys.
